Date: November 17, 2007
Section(s) Frontpage
By ELLEN ROBINSON
The Brunswick News
In the grand scheme of 9 miles of oceanfront, a plan to redevelop about 4 percent of the developable land on Jekyll Island is touching off a major argument.
Proponents contend that Jekyll Island is withering as beachfront motels age and would-be visitors go elsewhere. Opponents argue that nothing less than a way of life and the sanctity of the island are at stake.
With the sanction of the Jekyll Island Authority, the board that administers the state-owned island and its facilities, Linger Longer Communities is planning to create three hotels, condominiums, retail space, a new convention center and open spaces on 62 acres of the 1,535 acres of Jekyll Island that legally can be developed.
The area, in the general proximity of the existing convention center, stretches about 4,000 feet along the ocean face of the island, the developers say.
But opponents contend that that is a major intrusion.
They argue that the ecology of the island will be disturbed and that the "average Georgian" will be priced out of spending a night at what, in reality, is a state park where people live year-round on land leases.
While Linger Longer Communities is attempting to gauge public sentiment on its plan at meetings in various parts of the state and the Jekyll Island Authority is to vote on a final scheme in spring, the pro-and-con debate continues.
Here is how some people - some with vested interests and some without - line up for and against the plan on issues such as how they see its impact on tourism, island character, the economy, commercial space, affordability, hotels, residents and the environment:
Tourism impact of plan
FOR
Bruce Dickson, hospitality professional
"This new revitalization will bring more Georgians to enjoy their beach. Most of the people who use it come down for day trips."
Woody Woodside, Brunswick Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce president
"I believe revitalization will bring more Georgians to enjoy this island."
AGAINST
David Egan, Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island
"Over 80 percent of those who currently vacation on the island will not be able to afford to continue coming to Jekyll."
Greg Lowery, Baptist minister:
"We hold the Georgia Baptist Convention Youth Camp with between 700 to 1,200 youth per week for four or five weeks on Jekyll Island. We are able to do that because it's affordable. I'm concerned about them taking public parking away, limiting access and particularly about the affordability issue. This could prevent church groups from across the state from being able to come to Jekyll Island."
Island character
FOR
Bruce Dickson
"I don't believe the island's character will be compromised. I don't think it will detract from it's character."
Laura Cross, Oglethorpe Bank president
"I think they've put a lot of good thought into preserving the island's character. They want to beautify it and enhance the aesthetic qualities. Its necessary and it's being done in a tasteful way."
AGAINST
Frank Mirasola, Jekyll Island Citizens Association
"As the model that has been drawn, this redevelopment will change the character of the island completely. They have diverted the main road leading to Beachview Drive. It will dramatically change how people first come onto the island. They will take away that opportunity to see the ocean immediately, which is unique to Jekyll."
Economic impact
FOR
Woody Woodside
"In recent years, the standards of some of the rooms on the island fell, leading many groups to exit the island that had been coming here for conventions. Revitalizing the area would bring many of these groups back. They would shop in the local stores, and dine in the restaurants."
Elle Bennette, Jekyll Island Pharmacy employee and island resident
"Business-wise, we have to have people coming in. We need our conventions back in a bad way. Economically it's needed, though there are some revisions that should be made."
AGAINST
Tise Eyler, Jekyll Island Citizens Association
"I don't know that Glynn County has the hospitality work force on hand to support all of the jobs that will be created. I think it's too much over the top too fast."
Commercial space
FOR
Woody Woodside
"It would have a tremendous impact on our economy. The tax revenue would be enormous, too."
AGAINST
Tise Eyler
"I don't see the essential elements you need to support a town in the village area. We need our pharmacy, the bank, the hardware store and the post office."
Hotel affordability
FOR
Laura Cross
"From what I understand, the prices will not be out of reach for most Georgians, especially when compared to other destinations, like St. Simons Island or Sea Island. I think more and more Georgians will find Jekyll Island and come here to stay after the revitalization."
AGAINST
David Egan
"They are planning to build right on the most popular part of the beach. The parking lots locals use will be replaced with time-shares, hotels and condos."
Planned hotels
FOR
Bruce Dickson
"New hotels will bring a lot more visitors to Jekyll Island who would like to come see their state park. Revitalizing the island will give more Georgians an opportunity to come down and stay in a quality hotel while they enjoy their beach."
Woody Woodside
"New hotels will bring some of those conventions back that we have lost over the years, including the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Association of County Commissioners and the National Guard Convention."
AGAINST
Frank Mirasola
"We're concerned with the fundamental concept behind proposing to build something to this scale and this type on that part of the beach. They have this hotel right up next to the dunes and as close to the tideline as the law will allow. This dense development will put thousands of people on a sensitive stretch of barrier island beach."
Tise Eyler
"They should redo the old hotels first, like they are doing with the Buccaneer. This should be done in phases. I personally don't want the building named after my godfather torn down, the Cadwell Hall." (Note: The Buccaneer is being razed and will be replaced with a $114 million hotel complex.)
Impact on residents
FOR
Elle Bennette
"We need people coming back to Jekyll in order to survive as a community, otherwise our businesses we know and love will dry up. We need some revitalization or we will become all natural with no people here if we just let it go."
Laura Cross
"I believe the benefits of the revitalization will greatly outweigh any of the minor irritations that may result from increased tourism, such as more traffic."
AGAINST
Joe Iannicelli, Jekyll Island resident
"They have no business to destroy seven-tenths of a mile of publicly paved roads. They have no business making that area a part of their development."
Environment
FOR
Laura Cross
"I think it's very positive that they are keeping a good bit or the area undisturbed, along with the areas they have identified as needing upgrades."
Bruce Dickson
"I think the ecology and redevelopment can co-exist. I believe they (Linger Longer) will be good stewards of the land. They are adhering to the rules and guidelines of a designated fragile seashore area. We don't want to sacrifice the quality of our beaches or the ecology."
AGAINST
Kathy Chapman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist
"Because of the large scale of this proposed development and the subsequent increase in human population of Jekyll Island, certain wildlife species will need to be controlled to accommodate the increased human population on the island."
Frank Mirasola
"This dense development will put thousands of people on a sensitive stretch of barrier island beach."
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